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Theodora's Descent
In the dead of night, they call for her. The monsters and their strange, ancient city deep below the earth.
Theodora is not content to find a husband and settle down. She seeks adventure, not courtship.
She feels the primal pull of beings that shouldn't exist and falls into the den beneath. Saved by a monstrous man from the clutches of two vampires, she quickly realizes that her nightmares couldn't even come close to the things that haunt the underworld.
As she desperately seeks escape, can she survive the horrors that lurk below, or will she succumb to the power that reigns in the dark?
A dark, seductive force calls to her... pulls her towards its clutches...
Theodora is not content to find a husband and settle down. She seeks adventure, not courtship.
She feels the primal pull of beings that shouldn't exist and falls into the den beneath. Saved by a monstrous man from the clutches of two vampires, she quickly realizes that her nightmares couldn't even come close to the things that haunt the underworld.
As she desperately seeks escape, can she survive the horrors that lurk below, or will she succumb to the power that reigns in the dark?
A dark, seductive force calls to her... pulls her towards its clutches...
428 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2014
7 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
About the author
J.E. Keep
58 books105 followersJ.E. & M. Keep love to combine fantasy, scifi, horror, romance and mystery into exciting and titillating novels.
They are long term, loving partners in a very happy relationship and because of this, they love to torture their characters. Dark romance touches all of their stories in one way or another, from elicit trysts to forbidden love.
All work is 18+, trigger warnings available on the second page of every book. If you want to hear about new releases, sign up for the newsletter!
They are long term, loving partners in a very happy relationship and because of this, they love to torture their characters. Dark romance touches all of their stories in one way or another, from elicit trysts to forbidden love.
All work is 18+, trigger warnings available on the second page of every book. If you want to hear about new releases, sign up for the newsletter!
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 28, 2014
This book is a stand alone novel, it contains triggers and there is a warning as to what they are at the beginning of the book.
Theodora is a young noblewoman who has inherited her aunts estate in the countryside. As a child, she stayed there and remembers hearing strange voices trying to lure her from her bed. As an adult, her adventurous nature gets the better of her and she is lured into the depths of the house that she now occupies. Lured into a hellish city below the earths surface, Theodora is saved from the clutches of vampires by an equally as scary monster. Her journey to find her way out of this nightmare brings her into contact with beings that are both dangerous and evil.
I just finished this book today and I'm still trying to process it. The best I can describe it is a horrific version of Alice in Wonderland. Truthfully, the story is amazing and well thought out. I can't even think of anything current to compare it to. The monsters are original and downright scary sounding. I definitely wouldn't want to be in Theodoras shoes. The book is long, but you don't really notice because you find yourself wanting to see if she makes it out of this alive and mentally intact. Honestly, when I came to the end, I kind of hoped there would be more or that there would be an indication of a continuation of the story. The story is very dark, at times it's even hopeless, and there are triggers in it. This is a serious warning, heed the trigger warning. That being said, nothing in the story felt forced or like it was put in there merely for shock value. The story flowed wonderfully from one horrifying event to the next, with just enough hope mixed in to keep you reading as fast as you could. There were a few minor errors that I chalk up to formatting issues, ebooks almost always have a few here and there, but none of them were bothersome enough to detract from the story.
Overall I felt that this was a fabulous book, a great tale that really goes where you least expect it to. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a dark, cerebral horror story, with a small bit of a love story thrown in for flavor.
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock.
Theodora is a young noblewoman who has inherited her aunts estate in the countryside. As a child, she stayed there and remembers hearing strange voices trying to lure her from her bed. As an adult, her adventurous nature gets the better of her and she is lured into the depths of the house that she now occupies. Lured into a hellish city below the earths surface, Theodora is saved from the clutches of vampires by an equally as scary monster. Her journey to find her way out of this nightmare brings her into contact with beings that are both dangerous and evil.
I just finished this book today and I'm still trying to process it. The best I can describe it is a horrific version of Alice in Wonderland. Truthfully, the story is amazing and well thought out. I can't even think of anything current to compare it to. The monsters are original and downright scary sounding. I definitely wouldn't want to be in Theodoras shoes. The book is long, but you don't really notice because you find yourself wanting to see if she makes it out of this alive and mentally intact. Honestly, when I came to the end, I kind of hoped there would be more or that there would be an indication of a continuation of the story. The story is very dark, at times it's even hopeless, and there are triggers in it. This is a serious warning, heed the trigger warning. That being said, nothing in the story felt forced or like it was put in there merely for shock value. The story flowed wonderfully from one horrifying event to the next, with just enough hope mixed in to keep you reading as fast as you could. There were a few minor errors that I chalk up to formatting issues, ebooks almost always have a few here and there, but none of them were bothersome enough to detract from the story.
Overall I felt that this was a fabulous book, a great tale that really goes where you least expect it to. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a dark, cerebral horror story, with a small bit of a love story thrown in for flavor.
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock.
August 17, 2014
This story is like Alice in Wonderland on some serious drugs. Thia goes down a hole from hell with death all around. Tar'kul is the one who pulls her from grasp of the pale ones. He tells her to stay with him. He has set up a "home" for her with food of sorts so she can eat. She is soon to see his eyes are not what they seem and he he is more alien than human in his appearance. But he speaks to her in her mind. He tells her to stay with him and she will be safe. The others called to her and now she has no way back, but she feels she has to get back up. When he leaves, she escapes. He feels her leaving and tells her to go back. Pleads with her, he will make her happy. She gets into trouble and he helps her. But she can't stay, she has to get back to the surface home and to the light. She leaves and fights so many battles before he is able to join her only until she fears she
has lost him again. This book is so far out of the norm you will have a hard time keeping up with the beings and more trouble putting it down.
has lost him again. This book is so far out of the norm you will have a hard time keeping up with the beings and more trouble putting it down.
August 17, 2014
Holy cow! What a wonderfully told edge of your the seat story. Theodora hears the call in her dreams and has to answer. Will she get out or will she fall into the dark forever! The story is extremely well written and the characters will make your skin itch and wonder what really goes bump in the night.
August 23, 2014
This book is crazy. Mad! I say that in only the most positive of ways, however. Its fresh and original while clearly drawing on a wealth of literary inspiration.
Beyond the obvious HP Lovecraft inspiration that should be apparent to any horror fan these days, (though not always the obvious, fresh takes on Lovecraft's less known Dreamworlds content seem to seep in) shades of Alice in Wonderland are prominent. A murky tale of a young woman getting lost in a realm beyond her understanding where the normal laws of existence don't seem to hold sway. It's as if the Queen of Hearts herself casts her shadow over the tale of Thia on her adventures.
From first seeing the title, I was immediately reminded of Homer's Odyssey, so perhaps it's just me, but I was drawn to the notion of Thia as some 19th century version of Odysseus. The young woman far from home and desperate to return, taking a long journey through obstacles great, legendary and horrendous.
The things she encounters are so diverse, I get the feeling the writers had a clear grasp of not only strange biology, but history as well. I won't spoil how the history angle plays into things, but the underworld is an eclectic mix of things unique and old.
One point that seemed jarring was the strange pseudo-romance angle. At first I was put off by this, but then I realized it was hitting me exactly as horror should. It instilled this unsettling feeling of unease. I don't think this counts as a spoiler, but when not alone Thia's only allies are creepy figures that are of dubious intent at best. It dispels the notion that being alone in the dark is the worst situation one could find yourself in. Hell is other people, even in the pits of the earth.
I see the authors have dabbled in some horror-ish titles before, but this one takes the cake. It's so brilliantly unique I fear I'll never read another like it. Unless they do a sequel (spiritual or direct!) and I hope they do!
Beyond the obvious HP Lovecraft inspiration that should be apparent to any horror fan these days, (though not always the obvious, fresh takes on Lovecraft's less known Dreamworlds content seem to seep in) shades of Alice in Wonderland are prominent. A murky tale of a young woman getting lost in a realm beyond her understanding where the normal laws of existence don't seem to hold sway. It's as if the Queen of Hearts herself casts her shadow over the tale of Thia on her adventures.
From first seeing the title, I was immediately reminded of Homer's Odyssey, so perhaps it's just me, but I was drawn to the notion of Thia as some 19th century version of Odysseus. The young woman far from home and desperate to return, taking a long journey through obstacles great, legendary and horrendous.
The things she encounters are so diverse, I get the feeling the writers had a clear grasp of not only strange biology, but history as well. I won't spoil how the history angle plays into things, but the underworld is an eclectic mix of things unique and old.
One point that seemed jarring was the strange pseudo-romance angle. At first I was put off by this, but then I realized it was hitting me exactly as horror should. It instilled this unsettling feeling of unease. I don't think this counts as a spoiler, but when not alone Thia's only allies are creepy figures that are of dubious intent at best. It dispels the notion that being alone in the dark is the worst situation one could find yourself in. Hell is other people, even in the pits of the earth.
I see the authors have dabbled in some horror-ish titles before, but this one takes the cake. It's so brilliantly unique I fear I'll never read another like it. Unless they do a sequel (spiritual or direct!) and I hope they do!
November 9, 2014
Phenomenal.
The Keeps have expertly portrayed, a very deranged world.
It is uniquely demented.
So surreal.
I Loved it.
Now I am paraphrasing a friend here, when I say, the whole book had a feverish nightmare quality to it.
It was so encompassing that I didn't even miss the that I've always associated with the Keep's work.
Amazing.
September 2, 2014
Theodora's Descent is a about a young woman and her journey into the unknown.
The book was very well written and I love the original idea for the story. It was different and well thought out.Theodora unique but still relatable. My favorite part of the book was how the writer made me feel as if I was there with the scenery descriptions. However despite all these good things I couldn't connect with the book. Some of the events in the book jarred me out of the flow and kept me from totally enjoying it. I might recommended this book to a friend but only after a heads up.
The book was very well written and I love the original idea for the story. It was different and well thought out.Theodora unique but still relatable. My favorite part of the book was how the writer made me feel as if I was there with the scenery descriptions. However despite all these good things I couldn't connect with the book. Some of the events in the book jarred me out of the flow and kept me from totally enjoying it. I might recommended this book to a friend but only after a heads up.
August 25, 2014
Liked a lot. It keep me reading two days in a row.
Yes, I was squirming on my chair thinking "this is too much" but kept reading.
Theodora's Descent is like a nightmare of so many things that one can't guess what is going to happen.
I love Paranormal.
I receives a free copy of this book for an honest review
Yes, I was squirming on my chair thinking "this is too much" but kept reading.
Theodora's Descent is like a nightmare of so many things that one can't guess what is going to happen.
I love Paranormal.
I receives a free copy of this book for an honest review
September 4, 2014
A dark, twisted tale that hooks you from the first page. Theodora discovers a world of monsters under the ground and ventures into it. Can she survive this nightmarish land?
January 18, 2015
Dante’s Inferno and Hieronymus Bosch - that’s what this book was. I have to admit that I didn’t pick it at first. Prolific as they are, I’ve never read these authors before, and to be honest, I never have any idea what Ingrid Hall is going to throw at me next (hurrah! I love surprises!), so I really had no idea what to expect, and no pre-conceived notions.
Theodora’s Descent started out as a pretty staid gothic novel. Can I say boring? It started out pretty boring. Ho-hum. A young woman inherits her aunt’s estate. Guess what, she’s rich. Guess what, she’s beautiful. Guess what, she’s strong and independent and very modern for her era. And oh, guess what, there’s a dark and mysterious set of stairs leading downwards that she simply must explore.
I’m sorry but my eyes glazed over and I was about to throw it back Ingrid-ward. I’m not sure how many more times I could hear that Theodora was petite. And that her large, pale blue eyes shimmered. And she had a tiny frame. And that she had lustrous golden hair. Gawk.
But then - oh my gosh. How did I ever get past the first few chapters? I have no idea but thank God I did. What an absolutely mesmerising read. Once she does descend those very suspicious stairs, she finds herself in a nightmare. I’m not exaggerating; a nightmare. Creature after sickening creature attempt to kill, devour, enslave or rape her, each more grotesque than the last.
That’s when Bosch’s work sprung into my mind.
I used to pore for hours over his work, the twisted details of his perverse imagination fascinating and disgusting at the same time. And this book was exactly like that. Theodora’s story is so sick it became fascinating. And much as the authors dwelt on their main character’s perfection at the start, so too did they dwell on the horrifying ugliness of the creatures that she found in the world below.
I couldn’t stop reading. It did tend to go on… I think I would have liked the book to have been shorter, and an epilogue about eight chapters before the end did throw me rather, but it was lengthy. But the surprises were well-timed and cunningly laid. Like the traps which Theodora falls into time and again, the reader falls into icky gooey rotting traps too. Clever.
The authors’ hero is a monster. I’m not kidding, he’s gross. But they play with our understanding of a hero most beautifully, presenting us with what we have come to expect from him and yet questioning the need for him to be attractive. Or even - um - human. I found it interesting on so many levels. The story, and especially the characterisation, made me consider quite deeply what is necessary in our protagonists in order for us as readers to find satisfaction. What makes the hero heroic? What makes a villain villainous? (Or in this case, many many villains villainous?)
Think Beauty and the Beast - but the uncut non-Disney version. This is the X-rated version that comes on TV after 11pm. Beast is not just a little fluffy round the ears, he’s actually got extra pairs of arms, triangular eyes and a snake-like tongue. I kid you not.
So, basically, Theodora descends into the bowels of hell where it’s dark and creepy and everything that moves is a threat. Except for one guy (I use the term loosely) who wants to protect her. She spends the rest of the book trying to escape either him or everything else. And most of all to get back to the surface where she came from. Of course he doesn’t want her to leave, but he also wants her to be happy, so it’s a little tricky. Will she fall in love with him? (ew, gross!) Will she ever leave? And what would happen to him if she did?
A simple story. But told in such a fascinatingly creepy and mesmerizingly tangible way, you’ve just got to see it for yourself.
Theodora’s Descent started out as a pretty staid gothic novel. Can I say boring? It started out pretty boring. Ho-hum. A young woman inherits her aunt’s estate. Guess what, she’s rich. Guess what, she’s beautiful. Guess what, she’s strong and independent and very modern for her era. And oh, guess what, there’s a dark and mysterious set of stairs leading downwards that she simply must explore.
I’m sorry but my eyes glazed over and I was about to throw it back Ingrid-ward. I’m not sure how many more times I could hear that Theodora was petite. And that her large, pale blue eyes shimmered. And she had a tiny frame. And that she had lustrous golden hair. Gawk.
But then - oh my gosh. How did I ever get past the first few chapters? I have no idea but thank God I did. What an absolutely mesmerising read. Once she does descend those very suspicious stairs, she finds herself in a nightmare. I’m not exaggerating; a nightmare. Creature after sickening creature attempt to kill, devour, enslave or rape her, each more grotesque than the last.
That’s when Bosch’s work sprung into my mind.
I used to pore for hours over his work, the twisted details of his perverse imagination fascinating and disgusting at the same time. And this book was exactly like that. Theodora’s story is so sick it became fascinating. And much as the authors dwelt on their main character’s perfection at the start, so too did they dwell on the horrifying ugliness of the creatures that she found in the world below.
I couldn’t stop reading. It did tend to go on… I think I would have liked the book to have been shorter, and an epilogue about eight chapters before the end did throw me rather, but it was lengthy. But the surprises were well-timed and cunningly laid. Like the traps which Theodora falls into time and again, the reader falls into icky gooey rotting traps too. Clever.
The authors’ hero is a monster. I’m not kidding, he’s gross. But they play with our understanding of a hero most beautifully, presenting us with what we have come to expect from him and yet questioning the need for him to be attractive. Or even - um - human. I found it interesting on so many levels. The story, and especially the characterisation, made me consider quite deeply what is necessary in our protagonists in order for us as readers to find satisfaction. What makes the hero heroic? What makes a villain villainous? (Or in this case, many many villains villainous?)
Think Beauty and the Beast - but the uncut non-Disney version. This is the X-rated version that comes on TV after 11pm. Beast is not just a little fluffy round the ears, he’s actually got extra pairs of arms, triangular eyes and a snake-like tongue. I kid you not.
So, basically, Theodora descends into the bowels of hell where it’s dark and creepy and everything that moves is a threat. Except for one guy (I use the term loosely) who wants to protect her. She spends the rest of the book trying to escape either him or everything else. And most of all to get back to the surface where she came from. Of course he doesn’t want her to leave, but he also wants her to be happy, so it’s a little tricky. Will she fall in love with him? (ew, gross!) Will she ever leave? And what would happen to him if she did?
A simple story. But told in such a fascinatingly creepy and mesmerizingly tangible way, you’ve just got to see it for yourself.
August 27, 2014
3.5 Stars
Theodora is a strong and independant woman, willing to live the way she chooses and not what society dictates. But when Theodora inherited her great-aunts manor, everything she knows about life and reality is tested. As Theodora feels a pull from a force unknown, she questions everything and slowly realizes that the pull she feels is very real.. and is calling to her. Can she resist what she feels is dark or will she succumb to it's will?
I was immediately drawn into this tale of darkness and intrigue and loved the very specific details of the 'hole.' The first chapters grabbed me as a reader and refused to let go! I did however feel that the shortness of the chapters and lack of the character personality hindered my ability to give this book a higher rating. I tried throughout the book to relate to Theodora, but I just wasn't given enough as a reader to connect to her. In saying this, I must say that the dynamics between Tur'kul and Theodora left me panting for more! Alot more! :) I do think this book is a great 'Dark' romance and can recommend this to any readers that love a naughty and paranormal romance.
Reviewed by: Maggie Wadsager
Theodora is a strong and independant woman, willing to live the way she chooses and not what society dictates. But when Theodora inherited her great-aunts manor, everything she knows about life and reality is tested. As Theodora feels a pull from a force unknown, she questions everything and slowly realizes that the pull she feels is very real.. and is calling to her. Can she resist what she feels is dark or will she succumb to it's will?
I was immediately drawn into this tale of darkness and intrigue and loved the very specific details of the 'hole.' The first chapters grabbed me as a reader and refused to let go! I did however feel that the shortness of the chapters and lack of the character personality hindered my ability to give this book a higher rating. I tried throughout the book to relate to Theodora, but I just wasn't given enough as a reader to connect to her. In saying this, I must say that the dynamics between Tur'kul and Theodora left me panting for more! Alot more! :) I do think this book is a great 'Dark' romance and can recommend this to any readers that love a naughty and paranormal romance.
Reviewed by: Maggie Wadsager
September 30, 2014
I cannot describe what happens without giving away what must only be experienced. Think: ALICE IN WONDERLAND; Alfred Hitchcock style and you will understand and yes, there is a 'happy ever after' ending. Fantastic story!
June 1, 2015
One really strange book. It reminded me of Alice In Wonderland, but not for children. At times it got boring with so much of the same thing, running, trying to stay safe. Then something really weird would happen. And trust me ....weird is not nearly a strong enough word.
September 20, 2014
It definitely falls under the "what did I just read" category, with a good ending, so I enjoyed the book. It's definitely weird though. :-)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews